Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
[1 Peter 4:8]
God’s divine love is the most powerful force in the universe, as the death of Messiah conquered sin and the grave.
When it comes to our ability to love one another through the hurts and hangups of life, only the divine love of Christ can give us the capacity to forgive. The Apostle Peter reminds us that the love of Christ covers a multitude of sins.
Discover the amazing love of the Father in the following message.
“In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water. And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge off a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
[1 Peter 3:20-21]
Baptism is a significant, symbolic, and sacred ordinance in the life of God’s people. The importance of baptism can be appreciated all throughout Scripture, from the ritual purity rites required of the Levitical priesthood to the immersion of Jesus Himself in the River Jordan. The Israelites were said to be “baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:2), as believers in Messiah are said to be “baptized into Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:3).
Unfortunately, baptism has become one of the most confusing and controversial topics within the faith. Great debate remains involving the purpose and practical method of baptism, as some even claim that water baptism is a requirement for salvation itself!
In 1 Peter 3, the Apostle connects baptism with the salvation of Noah and his family through the flood. Many have used this passage of Scripture as a proof text to justify baptismal regeneration, yet a closer look at this text in the broader context of Scripture demonstrates an entirely different picture.
I propose to you that baptism DOES save! Just NOT water baptism.
Jesus and the Apostles are clear. There is a baptism that saves – the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Only the regeneration of the Holy Spirit has the power to save us and make us altogether new from the inside out. Perhaps Paul’s letter to Titus best demonstrates this fact.
“He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life.” [Titus 3:5-7]
To discover more about the real meaning and purpose of baptism, be sure to watch my teaching from 1 Peter 3 in the YouTube video below. And as always, please subscribe and share these teachings throughout your network to further the spread of the gospel of the Kingdom!
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, 19in whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In the ark a few people, only eight souls, were saved through water.
[1 Peter 3:18-20]
In the final verses of 1 Peter 3, we are confronted with one of the most challenging passages in all of Scripture. Peter opens the door for discussion on a variety of controversial topics. For example, we discover an enigmatic reference to Jesus going to the “spirits in prison” and making some form of declaration, which has generated all types of interpretations including the Roman Catholic doctrine of purgatory.
Peter also connects the flood to a form of “baptism,” and if not read carefully, would seem to imply some form of baptismal regeneration. Other denominations have run with this passage teaching the false doctrine that one must be water baptized to be saved.
And then there is the obvious allusion to the ancient Book of Enoch, who is described as serving as a mediator between God and the rebellious Watcher angels in the days before the flood.
As you can see, this passage has been the genesis of great confusion and controversy in the church, but a closer look at this passage in its greater context resolves all of these concerns.
Many pastors simply skip over this text altogether to avoid the difficulties it presents. But that is both unnecessary and irresponsible.
We can know with confidence the true identity of the mysterious “spirits in prison.” We can understand the cosmic mission of Jesus in light of His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. We also can disregard the idea of purgatory and baptismal regeneration.
If we are willing to study the whole counsel of God.
To discover more about this fascinating passage, please watch my teaching in the YouTube video below, and please feel free to share within your own networks.
For, Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. [1 Peter 3:10-12]
Our family relationships are the most valuable treasures we possess in this life. God created us for relationship because He is a God of relationship, as we know Him as our Heavenly Father. By His very nature, God desires to share His love and life with His people, His family. And by extension we are called to share God’s love and life with others.
Here in 1 Peter 3, Peter reminds us about the true purpose of our relationships, as we are called to love, forgive, pursue peace, and bless the ones we love.
To discover more about this powerful passage, please watch and share the teaching in the YouTube video below.
Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. [1 Peter 3:7]
Marriage is one of God’s greatest gifts to mankind and the most significant human relationship in life. God uses the marriage relationship as the primary illustration to signify His love and faithfulness to His covenant people.
As marriage goes, so goes the family, the church, and society as a whole. Our generation has suffered greatly due to the breakdown of the family and the delegitimization of marriage in the culture. Fewer young couples are getting married in the West, and those that do get married are getting divorced at higher rates than ever.
We know how much God values marriage, as He created marriage in the beginning.
We also see how much our enemy, the devil, hates marriage and is seeking to steal, kill, and destroy families.
Here in 1 Peter, the Apostle teaches us profound truths about the significance and blessing of marriage in the eyes of God. Be sure to listen to my teaching below and please share to help me get the good news of the gospel to as many people possible.
For “you were like sheep going astray,”but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. [1 Peter 2:25]
One of the most significant theological concepts in all of Scripture is the division of the Kingdom of Israel into two distinct houses — the House of Israel (Ephraim) and the House of Judah. This division took place after the death of King Solomon and persisted until the northern House of Israel was exiled from the land, scattered and assimilated into the nations, and permanently estranged from God [see Hosea 1-2].
The House of Judah (aka the Jews), however, were not divorced from the LORD and even though having been exiled into Babylon, the Jews retained their identity and returned to the land, which paved the way for the coming of the Son of David — Jesus the Messiah.
Once on the scene, Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd who gives His life for the sheep. In John 10, Jesus specifically makes reference to the separation of these two houses, or kingdoms. He came first for the Jews, but His mission did not stop there. Jesus sent out His followers to make disciples of all nations, which is precisely where the lost sheep of the House of Israel had been scattered and lost.
“I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, 15just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.“ [John 10:14-16]
Notice that the mission of Jesus was in effect to bring both of these houses — Jew and Gentile — back together into one fold and under one Shepherd.
The prophets and the Apostles often speak of this redemptive plan of God to reunite God’s covenant people. Here are just a few examples.
“Return, O faithless children,” declares the LORD, “for I am your master, and I will take you—one from a city and two from a family—and bring you to Zion. 15Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding … 17At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations will be gathered in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. They will no longer follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts. 18In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance.“ [Jeremiah 3:14-15, 17-18]
“This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel associated with him, and I will put them together with the stick of Judah. I will make them into a single stick, and they will become one in My hand.’ 20When the sticks on which you write are in your hand and in full view of the people, 21you are to tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘I will take the Israelites out of the nations to which they have gone, and I will gather them from all around and bring them into their own land. 22I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel, and one king will rule over all of them. Then they will no longer be two nations and will never again be divided into two kingdoms.“ [Ezekiel 37:19-22]
As you can see, the mission of Jesus our Good Shepherd has always been about reuniting the two houses into one Kingdom.
To learn more about this fascinating topic, please view and share the following teaching from 1 Peter 2.
Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
[1 Peter 2:16]
As God’s people living in exile, we are subject to all types of authority, whether in government, society, school, athletics, or on the job. Humility is the quality of Christ that is most needed and at the same time most difficult to master in the life of a believer.
Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life. That is the call to follow Christ in a world that is not our own. When we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt us in due time.
Discover more about this important topic in my teaching from 1 Peter and feel free to share.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
[1 Peter 2:9-10]
The LORD God entered into a marriage covenant with the people of Israel at Mt. Sinai — a covenant that Israel repeatedly broke. Israel was split into two kingdoms after the death of Solomon, and the northern Kingdom of Israel perpetuated generational idolatry with other gods. After years of calling His people back through the words of the prophets, the LORD made a heartbreaking decision.
God would divorce the northern House of Israel and send them away into exile. The southern nation of Judah, however, the LORD did not divorce on account of His promise to send the Messiah through the royal line of David . While the remnant of Judah would be preserved, the House of Israel (aka Joseph/Ephraim) would be integrated with the nations effectively becoming one with the Gentiles.
Yeshua — the Bridegroom — came into to world to accomplish God’s will — not the least of which was to redeem the lost sheep of the House of Israel and restore both Judah and Joseph back together as one nation under One King. Yeshua sent His disciples to all nations into which the House of Israel was lost, and that same Great Commission continues to this day.
Furthermore, by willingly dying for His people, Jesus nullified the original marriage contract and the certificate of divorce issued against Israel. And by rising from the dead, Jesus was able to remarry both the House of Israel and the House of Judah in a New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34), restoring the two back into one.
Discover this amazing story of remarriage and redemption in my teaching below and share this amazing story with as many people as possible.
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
[1 Peter 2:5]
When God redeemed the children of Israel out of Egypt and entered into covenant with them at Mt. Sinai, His intention was for the entire nation to be a kingdom of priests — mediators between God and man. Israel’s purpose was to receive the perfect law of God and then become a light to the Gentiles as witnesses of God’s goodness and glory!
“See, I have taught you statutes and ordinances just as the LORD my God has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land that you are about to enter and possess. 6Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’”
[Deuteronomy 4:5-6]
Yet Israel rebelled against God and repeatedly broke His commandments, which forced the LORD to establish an eartly priesthood from the tribe of Levi to serve as mediators between God and the children of Israel. The priests were commissioned with specific roles within the covenant community of faith.
Priests were the primary teachers of the law and the judges over the people. They were charged with ministering in God’s temple, maintaining the sacrificial system, offering prayers, and even leading the army into battle.
Peter is reminding God’s people to embrace our priestly duties, as the Lord Jesus — our Great High Priest — has come to restore Israel to her original purpose as a royal priesthood, serving as mediators between God and mankind. We are called to be living stones in God’s house and offer our bodies daily as living sacrifices !
To discover more about this … be sure to watch my YouTube teaching on 1 Peter 2 below and feel free to share it with friends and family.
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
[1 Peter 1:23]
The Word of God.
The concept of the “Word” of God is as immense as it is amazing. We know that the LORD created the entire universe simply by the word of His power. “By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all the stars by the breath of His mouth.” [Psalm 33:6]
We know that the Word of the LORD was given to the children of Israel at Mount Sinai and written in stone by the very finger of God.
We know that the Word of the LORD appeared in physical form to the fathers and the prophets, such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, to name a few.
And we know that Jesus Himself, the Eternal Son of God, is called the Word — the Logos — which in Greek signified the purpose and source behind the entire universe. The Logos represented the original concept or thought behind all creation. The Logos is the language of life.
Here in 1 Peter, we discover the power of God’s Word, as the source and power behind the material universe and the spiritual rebirth for all who believe.
Be sure to watch my teaching below, as I expound on these ideas and more.
Days of Noah 